Matrix or type die for typographical composing machines



T. DRAKE MATRI X OR TYPE DIE FOR TYPOGRAPI-HCAL COMPCSING MACHINES Filed June 30, 1924 Patented May 25, 1926.

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MATRIX on TYPE DIE roRfTYroonArIIIcA'L coivrrosrne MACHINES.

Application filed-June 30, 1924. Serial No. 723,086. 7

This invention relates to matrices or typedies for use in typographical composing machines such as those known commercially under the trade mark Linotype, wherein released therefrom .in order of composition, assembled in line and presented to a mold for the casting operation, and afterwards returned, through the distributor mechanism, to the magazine.

As the typographical elements of the above particularized machine as now in commercial use, are in the form of matrices the term matrix or matrices is herein used to designate the elements stored in-the magazines, but as it has heretobefore been proposed to employ type-dies in machines of this character, it is to be understood that the said term is intended to include type-dies wherever the context so admits.

As is Well known a matrix of the kind referred to is provided at its upper end with a V-shaped notch bearing the distributing teeth wher by the matrix is supported on and released from the permuteddistributor bar, and at its upper and lower edges with pairs of edgewise projecting lugs, the upper lugs serving to support the matrix at certain stages of its circulation through the machine and to engage the screws whereby the matrix is traversed along the distributor bar, and the lower lugs serving to align the matrices at the mold.- With ordinary thin matrices the lugs and teeth are aligned respectively with those sides of the matrix which are the leading and following ones during its passage through the distributor. This disposition of the teeth and lugs has,

with wide or extended-face matrices, been varied in different ways from time to time in order to overcome (liiiiculties in the use of such wide matrices, such as tilting about the point of support. j v

The present invention is directed to a wide or extended-face matrix for the pro duction of heavy or display matter having distributing teeth and lugs of substantially less thickness than the matrix body m in setwise direction, of an improved form which eliminates the difliculties referred to,

those elements are stored in a magazine,

the lugs and'teeth just referred to, the

and facilitatesthe employment of still wider matrices than those heretofore provided for. For the attainment'of these objects it is Y proposed, according to the: invention, to arrange the two pairs of lugs and the dis tributing teeth in alignment with each other in a vertical plane passing through the centre of gravity of the matrix, and to undercut the lower end of the above-mentioned leading side in order to permit the to upper portion of the matrix to overhang the distributor stop rails. The invention further contemplates the chamfering of the following side opposite tothe undercut portion of the leading side so that the foot of the matrix is reduced to a thickness substantially less than thatof the matrix body in setwise direction, and is located in the same vertical plane as the lugs andteeth; and, also the chamfering ofthe leadingcorner of the undercut to facilitate the passage of the matrix through the magazine entrance.

A matrix according .to the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 being enlarged perspective viewsofthe same asseen'from respectively opposite. sides, that side of the matrix which'is the leading one during its passage through the distributor being indicated by the reference numeral 1', and the opposite or followingside by the reference 2.

The matrix, being of the wide or extend ed-face kind, suitable for the production of display matter has, as is usual with such matrices, distributing teeth 3 and two pairs of lugs 4 at'its upper and lower edges respectively, all of substantially less thick ness than that of the matrix body in setwise direction, indicated'at m. The teeth and both pairs of lugs, however, are here located in alignment in a vertical plane passing through the centre of gravity of the matrix, which disposition of the parts in question ensures the matrix maintaining its proper vertical position when supported thereby duringits circulation through the machine.

In conjunction with the arrangement of present invention provides an undercut or recess 6 at the lower end of the leading side of the matrix, so that when the matrix is presented to the distributor in known manner, it is held against the distributor stop rails with its upper part overhanging those rails. Hence, the lifter by which the matrix is raised into engagement with the distributor screws is enabled to act on the matrix vertically below its centre of gravity and in the same plane as that containing the teeth and lugs. The leading corner 7 of this undercut portion 6 is preferably chamfered as shown to obviate any danger of that corner coming into contact with the upper edge of the respective magazine entrance partition when the matrix is released from the distributor bar, and thus to ensure the free passage of the matrix into and through the magazine entrance channel.

The following side 2 of the matrix is, according to the invention chamfered at its lower end, as indicated at 8 in the drawings, this chamfered portion, in conjunction with the undercut 6 previously referred to, for ing a matrix foot located in the same vertical plane as the teeth and lugs, and having a setwise thickness substantially less than that of the matrix body and commensurate with that of the teeth and lugs. This formation of the matrix foot is particularly advantageous when such matrices are used in conjunction with the known selecting mechanism, in the operation of which the matrix is temporarily supported by its foot and directed to one or other of a pl urality of magazines according to the position, or presence or absence, of a distinguishing notch such as 9, for the reason that matrices of this form may be accurately supported and separated by selecting mechanism of normal dimensions.

The weight of the matrix may be conveniently reduced by forming grooves in one or other of its sides. In the example illustrated two such grooves 10 are cut in the leading side 1.

From the above itwill be understood that a matrix constructed according to the inven tion is functionally similar in all respects, except as regards the formative cavity 11 for the production of display type, to a matrix of normal. dimensions, and correct positioning of the matrix throughoutits circulation is ensured without the necessity for inconvenient alterations in the mechanism by which the matrix is dealt with in the machine.

Having described my invention, I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A matrix for circulation in a typographical composing machine, formed w'th distributing teeth and upper and lower pairs of lugs all of substantially less thickness than the matrix body in setwise direction and all located in alignment in a vertical plane passing through the centre of gravity of the matrix, and having its leading side undercut to permit the upper portion of the matrix to overhang the distributor stop rails.

2. A matrix for circulation in a typographical composing machine, formed with distributing teeth and upper and lower pairs of lugs all of substantially less thickness than the matrix bony in setwise direction and all located in alignment in a vertical plane passing through the centre of gravity of the matrix, the matrix body being undercut at its leading side and chamfered at its following side to form a foot of substantially less thickness than the matrix body in setwise direction and located in the same vertical plane as the lugs and teeth.

3. A matrix for circulation in a typographical composing machine, formed with distributing teeth and upper and lower pairs of lugs all of substantially less thickness than the matrix body in setwise direction and all located in alignment in a vertical plane passing through the centre of gravity of the matrix, and having its leading side under cut to permit the upper portion of the matrix to overhang the distributor stop rails, the leading corner of the undercut being chamfered to facilitate the passage of the matrix through the magazine entrance.

4. A matrix for circulation in a typographical composing machine, formed with distributing teeth and upper and lower pairs of lugs all of substantially less thickness than the matrix body in setwise direction and all located in alignment in a vertical plane passing through the cent-re of gravity of the matrix the matrix body being undercut at its leading side and chamfered at its following side to form a foot of substantially less thickness than the matrix body in setwise direction and located in the same vertical plane as the lugs and teeth, the leading corner of the undercut being chamfered to facilitate the passage of the matrix through the magazine entrance.

In testimony whereof I have atlixed my signature hereto.

TOM DRAKE 

